Yo Soy La Otra Fuerza

Y Que!

Yo soy La Otra Fuerza,

Buried beneath a social latter,

Caught in a male dominant society,

Gagged and bound by his demands,

Inflicted with aggression, and

Oppressed by both my cultural

and religious believes.

My ancestors have lost their lands and language,

Due to Spanish conquest and corporate interest,

Yet, they have maintained their male cocked traditions. 

Presently!

I must choose between an asshole,

who physically and mentally abuses me,

obeying both my society’s and culture’s expectations,

   OR

face them both with a kick to the groin,

walking away with a smile,

as I premeditate a new beginning.

A new beginning that would return my self-respect,

A new beginning, rooted with dignity and liberty,

and a shit load of new problems.

When looking at my own reflection

I see millions of women going

through the same oppression,

so why do males continue the segregation.

Yet, I also see a true revolutionary emerging.

Emerging through wet-trash swept by currents

of confusion, envy, and hatred, which continue

polluting out sweet mother nation, Aztlan.

Sisters and brother conjoined as one,

where both respect and empathy is required for all.

And to all that deny her-story and existence, may you

Walk in the shadows of my strength and persistence.

For I am "ESA OTRA FUERZA".  "Y QUE!"

By: Raul Herrera [Written in a Chicana’s perspective]